Copenhagen embraces mobile technology with Augmented Reality app

The new CPH app includes an augmented reality feature, which is designed to improve passenger wayfinding in the terminal buildings.

Copenhagen Airport will become the first airport in the world to boast an iPhone app featuring augmented reality when the new CPH application is launched in the coming weeks.

The app, which has been submitted to Apple for final approval, will allow passengers to ‘scan’ the terminals using their iPhone camera. The camera will then take photographs of points of interest, such as shops and restaurants, and highlight the distance to those points and also directions to navigate to them.

While GPS positioning is used for apps such as Google Maps, it cannot be used indoors, so the CPH app will make use of the airport’s Wi-Fi infrastructure.

“It is our experience that the better passengers are able to plan their time at the airport, the less stress they feel, and the more comfortable their journey will be,” said Christian Poulsen, Head of IT at Copenhagen Airports A/S.

He continued: “The information is accurate down to a few metres, and we will work on getting more exact walking distances in a coming version of the application. This is a first version of this new technology and we already have many ideas for further development. However, we are launching it now to get an indication from passengers of whether they agree with us that this could be one of the ways of improving wayfinding at the airport.”

Global air transport IT provider SITA has worked closely with Copenhagen Airport on the development of the new augmented reality app.

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Dwayne

I think it is a great idea; I have been a big fan of the “Virtual Terminal” experience and think that something along this line would definitely enhance the customers experience and comfort level. Once, I had to go through PHL with a very quick connection that became even shorter after our plane had to abort landing. If I had that tool, I probably would have made my connection by familiarizing myself with the route I needed to take to the next gate. (Down one wing, catch a shuttle bus to the commuter wing and all the way to the last gate) 1 Minute faster and I would have made it.

We are visual creature and I find that a picture or an experience of passing through “this way” before, sticks in my mind and provides me with a certain level of comfort.

Of course with the new “Near Field Communications” tags this could become real interesting fast. For instance when passing by a restaurant and your virtual experience picks up the NFC tag and presents an option to see an up to date menu or sales items….